"A foul smell just from standing nearby" ... The 'secret of body odor' that lingers even after summer [Smart Wellness]

[Financial News] Why does an unpleasant body odor remain even on days when you do not sweat much? Body odor is caused not simply by sweat, but by sebum and waste left on the skin oxidizing after meeting bacteria. We looked at the causes of odor across the body and the right habits for managing the invisible 'blind spots' of body odor.

The crown of the head is one of the most common sources of body odor. Sebum, sweat and waste build up between the strands of hair. If the scalp stays damp after washing, or if you sweat heavily, bacteria can multiply and the sebum oxidizes, creating a distinctive stale scalp odor. Many people try to eliminate the smell by washing their hair several times a day with strong shampoos, but that can damage the scalp barrier and trigger even more sebum production as a compensatory response. Even for an oily scalp, washing once a day in the evening with a mild, slightly acidic shampoo helps support the scalp's natural resilience.
What you do after washing your hair also matters. If hair is left wet regardless of the season, the damp environment makes it easier for fungal organisms such as Malassezia to grow. It is important to dry the scalp thoroughly with lukewarm or cool air. In particular, if you sweat after exercise, you should wash your hair immediately and dry the scalp to prevent bacterial growth and odor.
If home care is not enough, professional scalp scaling once or twice a month can help remove hardened oxidized sebum and old dead skin cells from the pores. Light massage with a scalp tonic or diluted antibacterial tea tree oil can also help reduce scalp inflammation and odor.
Scalp odor is also closely tied to lifestyle habits. Stress, lack of sleep, smoking and drinking all weaken immunity and stimulate the sebaceous glands. A diet high in meat, fat and refined sugar can also increase sebum production and oxidative stress. On the other hand, green tea, citrus fruits, green vegetables and fermented foods rich in Vitamin C and polyphenol can help reduce odor by lowering oxidative substances in the body. Reducing stress and improving sleep quality can strengthen immunity and help regulate the skin's sebum balance more effectively.

Body odor management does not end with the scalp. To stay truly odor-free, you need to wash certain parts of the body where sweat and sebum tend to accumulate.
The armpits are home to many apocrine glands, which secrete sweat mixed with fatty acids and organic matter. Because the area is usually trapped between the arm and torso, it is poorly ventilated and sweat does not dry easily. Bacteria then break it down, producing a strong underarm odor. When washing the armpits, do not just rinse with water. Use soap or body wash and clean the area thoroughly. In addition to the armpits, areas where the skin folds, such as behind the knees and the inner elbows, also need careful washing because sweat can collect there easily.
If you still smell musty even after washing your hair carefully, the main culprit is likely the area behind the ears and the back of the neck. These areas have a high concentration of sebaceous glands, and oxidized sebum gives off a stale, greasy smell. They should be rubbed and cleaned thoroughly with your fingers during face washing or showering.
The spaces between the toes and the groin are also major odor blind spots. During a shower, simply letting foam run over the feet is not enough to wash away sweat and dead skin between the toes. Bacteria and fungi that grow in shoes and socks, where there is no ventilation at all, can cause severe foot odor and athlete's foot. When washing your feet, be sure to scrub between the toes and dry them completely. The groin and the folds around the navel should also be cleaned well because sebum, sweat and grime can easily get trapped there. However, these areas are not especially rich in sebum glands, and the skin is thin, so a mild, slightly acidic cleanser is recommended rather than an irritating one.

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